The Artist Who Paints Dungeon-Chapter 328

Incidentally, the Portrait of Gio still remained in Jeong Hae-Woon’s home.

“What, did you want me to go back home for good? That’d honestly be kind of hurtful...”

“......”

“That look on your face—like you’ve seen something you really shouldn’t—so fresh. Want to show me closer?”

“...You lunatic...”

Sipping his coffee, Jeong Hae-Woon froze mid-step in front of the large portrait. Just in case something went terribly wrong, he carefully placed the warm mug down on the hallway table.

Then, calmly, he looked the pink-haired figure in the painting up and down. The reaction from the portrait was, as always, perfectly consistent.

“Still handsome, aren’t I?”

“You’re seriously insane.”

“Oof, harsh. That kind of talk wounds me, you know.”

“Who’d believe that someone with a face like that gets wounded by words? Maybe you need to study human psychology and expressions a bit more.”

“You really think I don’t know and just don’t do it, Mr. Jeong Hae-Woon?”

“Obviously, you know. And just choose not to.”

Jeong Hae-Woon’s face twisted with distaste. This was, without a doubt, the most soft and cozy of all the Gio ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) forms he knew—yet the inner nature behind it was uniquely dark and sly. That wasn’t just his impression; it was an objective fact.

“...You’ve been quiet for so long. What brings your precious gaze here now?”

“I tried so hard to hide it... You could still see it?”

“It’s practically blinding at this point. Hard not to notice.”

That enormous portrait was always painted with a layer of black lacquer. According to Curator Yoo Seong-Woon, it was a precaution to account for various variables. Even so, those flashing, brilliant eyes—it really felt like they were watching him.

‘No, I’m not the strange one here.’

Clearly, he was the odd one. Jeong Hae-Woon, a decent citizen, was not at fault.

“Yes, well, let me correct myself. It’s not the eyes—it’s your reaction. You’ve been so silent I thought you were dead. Now you’re suddenly acknowledging me? I’m just so honored I can’t think straight.”

“Mm, so you’re sulking because I pretended not to notice. Still so young...”

“Young...? Didn’t you say your physical age is twenty-one? Sure, it’s foolish to count a divine being’s age, but it’s really confusing when someone with a baby face nags me like that.”

“And you’re the one who originally had a baby face too...”

“I’ve got a mature look now, don’t I?”

Jeong Hae-Woon crossed his arms and sighed. He had mentally prepared himself. He had to know why the long-silent portrait was finally reacting again.

Even if the other acted human, their true essence was always that of a fickle mystery.

“So? What sort of trick are you about to pull, that you’re taking the time to talk to me directly?”

“Oh dear, you really are sulking? But Mr. Jeong Hae-Woon, I too need my private time, you know. I’m the sort who doesn’t stay in one place—I’m a restless wanderer, aren’t I?”

“If you’re just going to keep slipping away like an eel, I’ll just sip my coffee while admiring you. You’re extra shiny today. Very nice.”

“If you insist, I’ll give you the opportunity to admire me. I quite like you, Mr. Jeong Hae-Woon.”

“...How honored I feel...”

Jeong Hae-Woon gave up and picked up the mug he’d put down. He dragged over a chair and sat directly in front of the portrait. The pink-haired being smiled as though having spotted something adorable.

“My goodness... is this some genetic quirk of gardeners?”

“What? What did I even do?”

“Mr. Yoo Seong-Woon does this too—sits and stares at the Portrait of Gio like this.”

“Collectors’ curators are like that by nature. There were plenty of folding chairs all along the gallery corridor. Me, I just sat down because I figured a little chat with a portrait with lips and vocal cords might be worth my time.”

“Are you sure I do have lips and vocal cords?”

“Ah, yes. My apologies for being narrow-minded. Most humans assume that if a conversation is possible, those things must be attached.”

As the being showed no signs of getting to the point, Jeong Hae-Woon gave up and focused on savoring the moment.

‘Waiting out the mystery’s antics is one of the least tiring strategies I have.’

The aroma of the coffee was heavenly. The portrait—visually—was even more so. For all his complaints, Jeong Hae-Woon was clearly another gardener who’d fallen under the mystery’s spell.

“...You know, that hat of yours—feels like you carry it more than you wear it. Doesn’t it ever feel neglected?”

“We’d have to be pretty close for it to feel neglected over something like that.”

“You say that like it’s a person. I can’t figure out what that hat even is. Some kind of goblin club? Though that would imply it’s not something with ego...”

“Did you do well while I was away?”

“...Could I have, with all that mess?”

Ever unpredictable.

‘Even the topic of conversation bounces around like you. Suits you perfectly.’

Abrupt as it was, this finally seemed like the long-awaited main topic. Jeong Hae-Woon ground his teeth in frustration.

This divine being was kind and gentle—but also unbearably flighty. And so full of love, it was almost sickening. Even knowing the seriousness of the situation, he still responded like this.

“Thanks to you, Korea nearly turned upside down.”

“Oh? Just Korea?”

“...Why do you sound disappointed? Sure, it was actually a global threat.”

“Because the system temporarily disappeared, I assume.”

“I have no idea what it is you’re trying to do.”

The situation was bizarre.

Even with the Association stepping in, the people were still terrified. Public trust in the government and Association might have been high, but it had its limits.

The blinking system felt like it could cause tangible harm at any moment. The Symbols of Eternity had no clear solution and weren’t stepping back either. Anxiety ran high. It could easily lead to a second catastrophe.

Hunters were more anxious than the general public. They couldn’t imagine a life without the system. Even the Symbols of Eternity were starting to waver. Their stances were diverging.

“This is giving me a huge headache. Do you even know what Haera is considering doing to you?”

“The most rational choice would be sealing me away.”

“You know your stuff. But Cha Eun-Hye fiercely opposed that. She said it wasn’t even possible. Frankly, I agree. You’re not the kind of being that would quietly stay sealed.”

“I’m so glad you know me so well, Mr. Jeong Hae-Woon.”

The divine being chuckled. From inside the frame, he reached out a hand and placed his signature wizard’s hat on Jeong Hae-Woon’s head. Jeong Hae-Woon flinched slightly from the strangely weighty pressure.

Fortunately or not, the trick didn’t last long. Jeorge gently retrieved the hat with a graceful motion. Jeong Hae-Woon frowned at the gesture, unable to read its intent. The being looked at him and asked—

“How are Mr. Seo Seo-Hee and you getting along?”

“...Seo Seo-Hee? He’s turned into a total opportunist. Acting like a bat. He’s waiting to see which way the wind blows so he can join the winning side.”

“Hm. And what about you, Mr. Jeong Hae-Woon?”

“...I don’t know...”

Jeong Hae-Woon sighed.

“...I’m really curious about the past I’ve forgotten.”

“Believe it or not, I didn’t add anything to that nightmare of yours.”

“......”

“Maybe I nudged it a little?”

“...Just to check—”

His frown deepened.

“Was that ‘dream’ I had... was it only once? Like how I visited the abandoned school several times without remembering?”

“Oh dear, you’re doubting me. But truly, no. If that really had happened multiple times, the system would’ve glitched repeatedly. But there’s only been one incident so far, right?”

“...That’s true, yes.”

“As I said earlier, the ‘dream’ you had wasn’t my doing.”

The portrait twirled the hat playfully.

“When there’s a flood, levees break. When there’s a crack, the bowl shatters. When things are stacked up dangerously, a single tap is all it takes. That’s what I did. But I didn’t make you dream.”

There was something unique about his speech. The content was weighty enough, but his tone and voice made it nearly unbearable—seductive to the point of being sickening.

With that voice, he could convince entire crowds to betray the world. Jeong Hae-Woon’s brows furrowed tighter.

“Well, thank you for that expert deflection of all personal responsibility, Professor.”

“Professor? You call me that after saying all that? Makes me sound pretty pathetic, doesn’t it...”

“So what you’re saying is—this is just a natural progression, and I shouldn’t resist? That I should just embrace the change? Excuse me, but I happen to be one of the Symbols of Eternity, and for what it’s worth, I’m committed to protecting this planet.”

“Which means you don’t want to harm the Earth.”

“You’re right. Honestly, my opinion’s not so different from Seo Seo-Hee’s. You can call me a bat too—I’ll take it. It’s true, so it doesn’t sting.”

“But Mr. Jeong Hae-Woon has a very rebellious streak. I know that well.”

The portrait didn’t falter in the face of his bitter sarcasm. Maybe it was because they already knew each other too well.

Or maybe it was just that damn divine arrogance. Either way, it wasn’t something easy to sit with.

He leaned forward slightly in the frame. The lacquered-over areas left only one gem-bright eye visible—gleaming sharply. Perhaps it only seemed that way. His irises and pupils blurred together, making it impossible to track his gaze.

“......”

“Mr. Jeong Hae-Woon.”

But the stare remained—as clear as before, lacquer or no lacquer.

“Let me say it again: the levees are collapsing. The bowl is nearly shattered.”

“...You’re talking about the ‘Promise of Eternity,’ aren’t you.”

“If you don’t want that fragile child to completely fall apart, you shouldn’t torment them anymore. No hitting. No touching. Ideally—not even looking.”

“And yet I still haven’t returned this portrait to the Collector. I’m a disgrace of an adult, aren’t I? I know. I know that better than anyone.”

“Mr. Jeong Hae-Woon is truly greedy. But I understand. I like humans who are honest about their desires.”

“That’s a lie, isn’t it.”

Jeong Hae-Woon gave a dry laugh. He wasn’t stupid. He’d been around Jeorge long enough to hear his stories. He had a rough idea of the being’s past.

But the portrait rejected that idea.

“It’s true. I really do like you.”

“...Not hate?”

“Did you know that hate and love are synonyms?”

“Wow. That’s... intense.”

Saying all that with a face like it’d melt at the touch of water. But that’s what divine beings were like. Their appearance meant nothing. They could do horrifying things behind a beautiful mask.

“Do you hate humans? And call that love? Is that why you want to torment people—by erasing the system from the world?”

“You can think of it that way.”

“You say that like it’s not true.”

“Maybe it’s not. I have a lot of love in me. Enough that even after doing all this, I might still love everyone. Maybe it’s possible.”

“Either way, it’s not a pleasant answer.”

“But the system is a nuisance. You don’t need it to go further. You can break the walls. Shatter the ceiling.”

“So this whole time... pestering you for your motives has been pointless, hasn’t it?”

Everything was already on the table. Jeorge might hate or love humanity. He might torment or help them. All of that aligned under one act—removing the system.

Sitting back in his chair, holding the mug, Jeong Hae-Woon finally asked:

“Do you really believe that would help the Earth, Professor?”

“Well, isn’t riding a two-wheeler cooler than a tricycle?”

“You’re insane. So it is about aesthetics?”

“Well, that’s part of it...”

“With that delicately emotional face, how can you talk such childish nonsense?”

“But you understand me, don’t you, Mr. Jeong Hae-Woon?”

“...Why me?”

“Pardon?”

“Why did you choose me to understand all this chaos?”

“Oh...”

Jeorge visibly looked annoyed.

“People really are shameless. They kick up a fuss, then ask me what’s happening like they had nothing to do with it. You’re the one who brought me out of the Collector, and you’re asking me that?”

“I won’t argue with you about that injustice. But why am I the only one who had that ‘dream’? Seo Seo-Hee clearly longs to remember too. Almost like he’s hoping he’ll dream without realizing it.”

“Because that kind of half-heartedness won’t break the dam. It won’t shatter the bowl. But you—Mr. Jeong Hae-Woon—you moved, repeatedly. That was the problem. Your dam broke. Your bowl shattered. So don’t pin this on me.”

“...If you say not to, I won’t.”

His expression twisted with shared annoyance.

“...Damn it. Feels like I’ve been given a terminal diagnosis...”

No matter what he did, he was going to dream again.

***

And Jeong Hae-Woon did dream again. And he woke up crying.

“Do you want to remember?”

“......”

“Shall I help you, Mr. Jeong Hae-Woon?”

“......”

“It’ll just be a short prank.”

The divine being whispered sweetly.

“I’ll deceive them for you.”

In that flushed heat, Jeong Hae-Woon thought—

No one could resist that.

No one.